Holocaust survivor to attend first summer institute on Jewish civilisation

Posted on 19/06/2012

A Holocaust survivor will join a host of experts visiting Royal Holloway, University of London for a special two-week residential summer institute hosted by the Holocaust Research Centre.

Kitty Hart, who was sent to the Auschwitz labour camp in 1943 at the age of 16, will be talking about her experiences and some of the terrible atrocities she witnessed.

There will also be a programme of guest lectures and special events including a lecture by the acclaimed US historian Professor Francis Nicosia, on the controversial subject of the Nazis and Zionism, and films depicting the Holocaust.

This is the first residential summer institute hosted by the Holocaust Research Centre, which has been made possible thanks to a partnership with the Holocaust Educational Foundation, Chicago (HEF). The HEF awarded a grant of $25,000, which was match funded by Royal Holloway, to cover the cost of 20 bursaries for doctoral students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty to attend this intensive enrichment programme taught by some of the leading researchers in the UK.

The bursaries were awarded to researchers, teachers and practitioners in Holocaust studies and associated fields who feel the need to round out their knowledge with background on Jewish culture and history or, conversely, on the history and historiography of the Holocaust. The participants come from Northern Ireland, Italy, Greece, Moldova, Poland, Denmark, Canada, the USA, South Africa, and Hong Kong.

Professor David Cesarani, from the Holocaust Research Centre at Royal Holloway, said: “We are delighted to be able to host the first residential summer institute. We have an impressive programme of events which we hope will generate some exciting discussions. I would like to thank the Holocaust Educational Foundation for its grant which has made this event possible. I hope this is the first of many residential summer institutes.”